Car design a hobby for Sun City man

Saturday

Sep 15, 2012 at 12:04 AM

JESSICAH PETERS

John Samsen worked at Ford and Chrysler back in the 1950s when the industry was looking to transform itself by creating new products.

After graduating with a degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University, Samsen soon discovered that his job at McDonnell Aircraft and Studebaker was too much number crunching and not enough designing.

In 1952, Samsen adventured to Detroit and began working at the two-man styling department at Ford. He was part of the first Thunderbird design in which he created the front half and fenders. The 1955 Thunderbird was only the first of many cars Samsen helped design.

"I loved the fact that Ford let designers develop the clay models," Samsen said. "Usually so many executives get in the way and want to change things."

Samsen stayed at Ford for three years and then took his skills to Chrysler. He was recruited by Virgil Exner and began working with the DeSoto and Imperial lines. After those cars, he was moved to Plymouth to work on the Barracuda, Road Runner, GTX and Duster. Samsen designed the first Barracuda which was initially to be called the Panda which was sold in 1964 with Samsen's complete design.

Although Samsen enjoyed working for Chrysler for 21 years. He moved to Florida, bought a sailboat and enjoyed not working. Samsen spent 17 years single in Florida before he met his wife, Tucky. Tucky Samsen was a nursing educator when John Samsen met her.

"We bought a house and kind of retired in northern Georgia, but Tucky was still working until we moved to Sun City," Samsen said.

John and Tucky Samsen have lived in Sun City for eight years where he still is designing cars. Samsen's other hobbies including sailing, building model airplanes and writing. Samsen is working on paintings for the Hilton Head art show in which he will have antique car paintings for sale. He will also give a presentation to the Sun City Car Club in October to discuss the history of American car styling.

"The club grew up as teenagers in the 1950s-1970s and we are particularly interested in hearing Samsen's presentation," said Paul Ashby, president of the car club. "It will bring back their fondest memories because maybe they had their first date in one of these cars Samsen will talk about. The '55 thunderbird was a wildly successful and was the key designing force. He has a lot of car artwork so he has quite a reputation."

Samsen has been a member of the Car Club and plans to rejoin.

"I love talking to people who love cars," Samsen said.

Ashby said through Samsen's presentation it will be like reliving the old times.

ON THE WEB

To see more information about Samsen and see his designs visit collectibleart.net.